Gambling Lobby Group Urges UK Government To Review Legislation

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

29 July 2003

An international coalition of almost 30 organisations, calling itself the Cross-Industry Group for Gaming Deregulation, has set about lobbying the UK government on speeding the progress of gambling deregulation.

In a letter recently sent to MPs, and seen by the Sunday Times, the Group outlined the likely benefits of loosening the United Kingdom's gambling laws, which include job creation, increased inward investment, and 'a minimum incremental exchequer benefit of £350m per annum'.

It emerged last month that planned legislation designed to deregulate the gambling industry in the UK may have been forced off the government's agenda by matters considered more pressing, such as asylum legislation. According to reports at the time, if the proposed bill does not form part of the Queen's speech in November, it could be shelved until the next election.

The international lobbying organisation, which comprises gaming operators and property and development groups, has announced that it will be commissioning an independent report providing further detail on the economic benefits of deregulation of the gambling industry.

'This group's position is that any significant delay (in the introduction of deregulation legislation) could be highly damaging to UK plc. It is with this in mind that we are writing to you today to seek your support,' the letter received by MPs announced, concluding:

'(We) would ask you to support an early legislative slot for this Department of Culture, Media and Sport sponsored legislation.'

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